Trevor Gordon Rips
I’m typically very partial to goofy footers. Almost to a point of discriminatory measure. That being said, there’s a ton of guys out there that rip with their left foot forward. On the other side of that coin…I always drop my back knee….so I’m super biased TOWARD this technique. Yeah it sounds a bit conflicted, but who cares. Trevor Gordon is one of my favorites for obvious reasons. I think in surfing more than any other sideways standing pursuit, style is poached and even faked. Fake style is the worst style. Trevor doesn’t do that….Trevor has sick style. Go buy some of his art work (as soon as his site is back up and running) and watch the kid rip.
- Maasen photo courtesy of surfermag.com
- Trevor Gordon Artwork Courtesy of Korduroy.tv
Ben Harper Tribute to the Jahstralian
You guys should go buy a copy of Ben Harper and the reunited Innocent Criminals’ new version of “Jah Work” on Itunes. Proceeds go to support the family of late great ripper Lewis Marnell.
photo courtesy of skateboardingmagazine.com
Coalatree
I know it’s nothing new….but man you gotta love the direction and thinking being up-cycled at Coalatree Organics. Go check their society members and buy some of their shit. That is all…
The Philadelphia Experiment
Great Music + Solid Art Direction + Quality Editing+ Raw East Coast Street Skating= All Heart
Faith Restored in Humanity
Draplin in Utah
I went to see Aaron Draplin‘s Tall Tales From A Large Man lecture series here in Salt Lake City this evening. AIGASLC sponsored the event at the UMFA, and it was absolutely everything I expected. Draplin was incredibly inspiring, and amazingly funny as always. Anyone that uses Saul Bass as a verb is all time in my book. I picked up a limited edition Utah Poster, as well as a new copy of A Drive Into The Gap by Kevin Guilfoile (published through Field Notes)…..this was an incredible night all around, and one I will not soon forget.
Everything good about skating….
If you’re not feeling Stereo Sound Agency, then maybe we can’t be friends anymore.
Thanks Ray Barbee
Ok so I’ve written briefly about Ray Barbee before and here’s why. He is absolutely one of my all time favorite people. I don’t really fan out over anyone (except maybe Gonz). I am however more likely to get riled up like JoJo the Idiot Circus Boy when I come across someone like Ray, than say …(insert random Us Weekly celeb here). Ray Barbee began to influence my skating back in the Public Domain days. To see someone my age, with similar style, skating street, keeping it fluid, and basically stringing together trick after trick…was mind blowing. I followed Ray through the years, and always admired the way he was true to himself, and the way that he grew as a person. For those that don’t know, music and photography are very important to him as well. Ray is a positive person with an incredible outlook on the world. Often in skating the people that get press and highlights are the complete piles of shit. We all love a comeback story, but it just seems like the glamorizing of self destructive behavior is so rampant in our world.
I’m all for bucking the norm, and punk rock ideals influenced me tremendously in my life as well. I don’t think you need to be a lazy, negative, gutterpunk to carve your own DIY path though. You can be a responsible father and husband. You can save your money. You can live in moderation. You can be an educated postmodernist. You can be an artist. You can think for yourself…. Too many good people in the world of skating have been lost to apathy, drug use, and lack of forward thinking. Sometimes when you throw tons of money at 15 year old kids (that have had little guidance in general) this type of thing can happen. We all have free will though, and we all truly care about skateboarding. People like Ray Barbee should be highlighted more often. Take a look at Chris Nieratko’s newest Adventures With Chris, check out Ray’s Independent At Home, and watch the all too short Epicly Later’d. For the young skaters out there please just think for yourself, don’t be a pile of shit, and keep doing what you love. Thanks Ray.
photo courtesy of stussy.com
DDC: What Really Matters, Invent Your World, & Other Tall Tales
You guys need to check out Aaron’s full lecture at MCAD from earlier this year. All hail Draplin.
Colt Bowden and Stereo
Stereo Skateboards speaks to me….for a number of reasons. I have always been surrounded by creative people in my life, and as a result I have a heavy appreciation for Art and Design. I thank my mother for that mostly. Chris Pastras always just seemed like one of the kids I would have surrounded myself with. Chris has an incredibly creative mind, and he expresses that in his skating as well as his artwork. Stereo’s marketing, design focus, and overall attitude balance art and commerce far better than any other product involved in skateboarding. Recently Chris and Jason have had local Utah artist Colt Bowden design their Retro Americana Classics Division. Colt is an excellent skater as well as an accomplished and detailed artist. I’m very stoked for Colt, and I’m so glad to see these two collaborating. It just makes sense. Take a look at Chris’ Hand in Hand, check out Colt’s site, buy some of his work, and then go support Stereo Sound Agency.
photo courtesy of coltbowden.com
Haroshi DLX & HUF
I know for many of you this is kind of old news, but I had to put up a Haroshi post. The guy is an absolute inspiration, and he is the embodiment of DIY. …oh and I must have the new Haroshi-Huf Pro-models…clear cup soles?…so rad. Now stop reading this, and check out his Aberrican Me.
photos courtesy of haroshi.com
Kid Creature
If you haven’t checked him out already, you need to look into Kid Creature. Cal is a rad kid with a big heart. Buy some of his gear, and donate to a great cause.
Ice Cube backing The Eames….Seriously
Just watch this and trip out….
Krooked Guest Board…Thomas Campbell
One of my all time favorite artists is Thomas Campbell…one of my all time favorite skaters is Mark Gonzales…now Thomas has a guest board on Krooked. Thank god for Mickey, Jim, and everyone over at Deluxe….sometimes things just all make sense.
Inspiration
I don’t care what you do in life, this will apply. The guys at Create The Map threw this up last month. Aaron Draplin is an American Hero.
The Creative Lives
You need to check out The Creative Lives . It’s an amazing documentary series about numerous contemporary artists. Barry McGee is a genius. Porous Walker is my hero. That’s just the beginning…
photo courtesy of thecreativelives.com
Tod Seelie
Tod Seelie is a true artist. You need to take a look at his work and blog. Todd digs deep in order to take some incredible photos.
photo courtesy of workingclassmag.com
Mike Murdock
If you don’t know much about skating and Salt Lake City, then you probably don’t know who Mike Murdock is. He’s a real representation of what skating and Salt Lake are all about. In the SLC he’s the Connection between art and skateboards. Check his videos, watch him paint, check the Blindside/Green Label profile, and read his interview at Slug.
photo courtesy of slugmag.com
Adam5100
Check the Studio Visit with stencil artist Adam5100 over at Fecal Face.
photo courtesy of fecalface.com
Jay Howell is almost as rad as narwhals.
If you don’t know already, Jay Howell is a great artist. He’s done most of the illustrations for a new cartoon on fox as well. Check his site and buy some shit.
photo courtesy of http://jayhowellart.blogspot.com/
Skate and Create
Gonz is legend of course. Fecal Face will punch you right in the mind. Peep Skate and Create… a good time.
Sorry.
I’ve been gone for a bit friends….sorry. I will be back on some shit. In the mean time please see why america is fucked.
Stance
Lost Prophets
Beautiful Losers
